The real crux of the matter is that many paid programs participate in the IRS FREE FILE option however at no time were they required to educate the public how to access the FREE FILE option on the IRS website. So if you go to any of the paid sites and click on file for free then you are NOT in the IRS FREE FILE system so you can be required to upgrade if you no longer fit the free profile according to those paid sites.
In my opinion ... the one to blame is the IRS ... they are the ones hosting the FREE FILE links and it is up to them to spend millions in educating the public on this available option.
Also ... a couple of years ago the IRS changed the FREE FILE site to disallow the option to convert your started return to a paid site when it becomes apparent that the user no longer fits the filing parameters. For instance if you believe you will be under the max income limit and start the return but then you wind up with more income than allowed you just cannot transfer the info to a paid version ... you are required to start all over again IN A NEW ACCOUNT in a paid version. I understand why they did it but it is very inconvenient at best.
